Inventory control system

ABSTRACT

An inventory control system for rapidly taking an inventory of items in an array including an optical scanning system which provides an image of variable size of each item in accordance with the number of units of the item in the inventory, a larger image denoting more units, a signal generator which converts the image to a train of electrical signals, a storage device for storing the signals for later use, retrieval apparatus for regenerating the stored signals at a subsequent time, and a display system for displaying and size quantizing the original image. The item identified by its quantized image is checked against a data bank to determine for that item how many units correspond to the particular image size displayed. The checking may be automatic or manual, and an automatic print-out may be provided if desired.

United States Patent Shandlay [451 Mar. 21, 1972 [54] INVENTORY CONTROLSYSTEM [72] Inventor: John J. Shandlay, 489 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia,Pa. 19111 [22] Filed: July 7, 1970 (21] App1.No.: 52,948

[52] US. Cl.. 340/1725 [5|] ..G01d5/l2,G01d 5/39 [58] Field oISearch..340/l72.5, 147, l53;235/92,

235/61] R, 61.6 H, 616 .1, 61.6 L, 61.11 E, 61.11

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,426,326 2/1969 Goldstein....340/l47 X 3,348,030 10/1967 Krause ..235/92 3,211,470 10/1965 Wilson....283/18 3,478,316 11/1969 Block et al., l....340/l47 3,541,309ll/l970 Cutter ...235/6l.7 R 3,408,485 10/1968 Scott et a1 235/92Attorney-Edelson and Udell [57] ABSTRACT An inventory control system forrapidly taking an inventory of items in an array including an opticalscanning system which provides an image of variable size of each item inaccordance with the number of units of the item in the inventory, alarger image denoting more units, a signal generator which converts theimage to a train of electrical signals, a storage device for storing thesignals for later use, retrieval apparatus for regenerating the storedsignals at a subsequent time, and a display system for displaying andsize quantizing the original image. The item identified by its quantizedimage is checked against a data bank to determine for that item how manyunits correspond to the particular image size displayedv The checkingmay be automatic or manual, and an automatic print-out may be providedif desired.

20 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHAR21 I972 SHEET 1 0F 5 mn/nvrmeJOH N J. SHAND LAY WWW l i Ill I 4 3 R B 3 ATTOPA/LTL PATENTEDMAR21 I9723, 51,47

SHEET l [1F 5 WMM Arman/[Ki INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEM This inventionrelates generally to inventory control systems and more particularlyrelates to a system which automatically inspects and records datacorresponding to the quantity of particular items which are stored atparticular locations, and then makes the recorded data available fortabulation and interpretation.

The system generally consists of an optical scanning system arranged ina mobile apparatus which traverses and optically examines the areawithin which is stored the items to be inventoried. The scanning is doneat a relatively high rate of speed with the data of the scanned itemsbeing converted into electronic signals which are read into a storageunit for later examination. The high scanning speed of the systemenables a complete inventory to be taken in a very short time withoutdisrupting the normal sales operation of a store which is for examplebeing inventoried. The information read into the storage unit, which maytypically be a tape recording device, is subsequently examined andprocessed to provide an itemized printing inventory list for theparticular establishment which has been inventoried.

The system according to the invention has wide applicability and will beillustrated hereinafter in connection with the taking of an inventory ofa store which sells paperback books. It is apparent that paperback bookstores carry a large number of titles, and the present method of handinventory is extremely time consuming and consequently relativelyexpensive. A similar situation exists for example in supermarket foodstores. The system according to the invention is utilizable for the taking of inventory in conjunction with any items in which the number ofitems of a particular kind in the inventory is determinable by acorrelation of the size of the viewed image of the item, as observed bythe scanning apparatus, with information stored in a data bank whichrelates the size of the image to the quantity ofthe item.

Since the size of an image viewed through a lens is determined by thedistance between the lens and the object, the apparatus according to theinvention utilizes lens systems which are established at apre-determined reference distance from the reference plane of theobjects being inventoried, and this standard reference distance is takeninto account in the information stored in the data bank. Accordingly, itis a primary object of the invention to provide a novel inventorycontrol system utilizing an optical scanning device for examining itemsof inventory at a pre-determined reference distance from the object,recording the observed object on a record storage medium, comparing thesize of the examined object with information in a data storage devicewhich correlates the object size with the number of objects ininventory, and providing a permanent record of the inventoried object.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel inventory controlsystem as aforesaid utilizing mobile optical scanning devices which movepast the items to be inventoried and scan the positional locationthereof, the scanned images being relayed to a viewing mechanism andrecorded in a data storage system.

A further object of the invention as aforesaid is to provide novelapparatus for reading out the stored inventory information andtranslating the stored data into coded information which identifies theinventory item and provides a measure of the quantity of the item in theinventory.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become clear froma reading of the following specification in conjunction with anexamination of the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a front perspective from above of a portion of the mobileapparatus which includes the scanning mechanisms and houses some of theelectronic recording devices;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with thelower portion vertically sectioned to disclose the mobile crawler formoving the scanning apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view as would be seen when viewed alongthe line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal jump section through the apparatus of FIG. 1 aswould be seen when viewed along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2, and is on anenlarged scale;

FIG. 5 is a verticaljump section through one of the scanning units aswould be seen when viewed along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the same portion of the apparatus shown invertical section in FIG. 5 with the telescopic light tubes in collapsedor compacted position;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal section through the telescopically engaged lighttubes as would be seen when viewed along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the entire inventory controlsystem illustrating the recording, play back, encoding and print-outphases of the system;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the apparatus associated with the CRT displayof FIG. 8 for determining the information to be encoded on a recordcarrier;

FIG. 10 through I3 represent different views of data items displayed onthe CRT of FIG. 8 through the device of FIG. 9; and

FIG. I] is an enlarged fragment of the data shown within the circle 14shown on FIG. It].

In the several figures, like elements are denoted by like referencecharacters.

Referring first to the schematic representation of the Inventory ControlSystem illustrated in FIG. 8 of the drawings, there is seen a datarecording unit designated generally as 20 which includes equipment forexamining and making a record of the inventory of books in differentpockets of a bookrack designated generally as 21 so that this recordedinformation may be subsequently displayed by means of an optical displaydevice 22 to thereby permit the displayed information to be recorded ona record carrier 23 by means of an encoding device 24. The recordcarrier 23 may then be suitably processed through compatible electronicdata processing equipment 25 to produce a printed tabulated inventoryreport from the print-out mechanism 26. The record carrier 23 may be ofany suitable form, such as punched cards or magnetic tape or punchedpaper tape, and the encoding device 24 is of course a manually operablesuitable piece of equipment for encoding onto the record carrier, as forexample a suitable key punch machine or paper tape puncher or keyboardoperated magnetic encoder.

The information which is encoded onto the record carrier for processingby the electronic data processing equipment 25 is visually observed onthe optical display device 22 by the operator of the encoder 24 and theinformation is then en coded onto the record carrier 23. The informationwhich is observed by the encoder operator consists of two items, thefirst item being the size of the book image as observed through acalibrating grid to be subsequently described in connection with theshowings of FIGS. 9 through 13, and the second item of information beingthe book code designation which appears in the upper left hand corner ofall paperback books, as is shown in the fragmentary view of FIG. 14which illustratively designates the book shown in FIG. 10 as beingBantam book Q5433.

With these two items of information encoded onto the record carrier 23,the electronic data processing equipment 25 can search its memory forthe data relating to Bantam book Q5433, and having located such data canthen compare the information on the record carrier 23 relating to thebook image size with size-related data stored in the EDP memory andthereby determine the number of 05433 books in the book rack pocket andcause this information to be printed out as one item of inventory. Therelationship between the size of the book image as observed on theoptical display device 22 and the number of books held in the particularpocket of the bookrack 21 shown at the left side of FIG. 8.

For purposes of illustration, bookrack 21 is shown having fourbook-holding pockets arranged vertically one beneath another and holdingdifi'ering amounts of books 27, 28, 29 and 30, with these books beingrespectively viewed by lens systems 31, 32, 33 and 34 all havingidentical fields of view defined by the upper and lower bounding linesassociated with each lens and designated as 3lf through 34f. Since allof the lenses are of the same fixed focal length and are all spaced awayfrom the front edges of the book-holding pockets by exactly the samedistance, it is of course clear that the size of the image seen by eachlens would be exactly the same if all of the pockets were full and thebooks were of the same dimensions.

Assuming for the moment that all books are of the same size, it will beunderstood then that the size of the book image seen by each lens willdepend upon the distance of the lens from the front of the book, andthat the more remote a book is from the lens, the smaller the image ofthe book will appear. For example, the image of book 27 which isobserved by lens 3] fills substantially the entire optical field of thelens as is shown by the fact that the optical field limiting lines 31fare just tangent to the top and bottom of the book 27. It is observedhowever that the books 28, 29 and 30 do not fill their respectivepockets and are therefore spaced backward from the pocket front edge bydiffering distances. Accordingly, the book image seen by lens 32 issmaller than that seen by lens 31 and smaller than that seen by lens 33while being larger than the image seen by lens 34. The image seen bylens 33 while smaller than that seen by lens 31 is larger than theimages seen by lenses 32 and 34. Finally, the image seen by lens 34 isthe smallest of all since the front face of the single book in thepocket is more remote from lens 34 than the other books are from theirassociated viewing lenses.

The images seen by each of the lens 31 through 34 are projected onto aviewing screen 35 where they are scanned by a television type electronicimage scanner 36 which converts the optical images into alternatingcurrent electrical signals. These electrical signals are transmitted toa video recording and play-back apparatus 37 where they are recorded ona suitable recording medium such as magnetic tape for future play-backSuitable apparatus for providing the functions of the image scanner 36and video tape apparatus 37 is the Javelin Radio Tape Recorder modelVTR-IOOOSH made by Javelin Electronics of Los Angeles, California. Thisunit in addition to properly recording the data of interest, provides aplay-back feature of great importance in that the image of each book isdisplayable on the cathode ray tube display device 22 as a still picturefor any desired length of time so that the operator of the encodingdevice 24 may hold a picture on display for a sufficient length of timeto read off the necessary information. The cathode ray tube displaydevice 22 is fitted with the usual controls for moving the visualdisplay to a desired position on the screen which in most cases will besubstantially a central location.

Used in conjunction with the optical display device 22 is a shiftablegrid device designated generally as 38. The grid structure 38, as bestseen in FIG. 9, consists of a pair of horizontal tracks 39 fixed inposition with respect to the cathode ray tube face 40, and a grid frame41 carrying a transparent grid 42, the grid frame 41 being shiftablehorizontally by means of side frames 43 slidably coupled to thehorizontal tracks 39, and being shiftable vertically by its slidablecoupling to the side frame 41 permits the transparent grid 42 to bepositioned as desired with respect to the display face of the cathoderay tube 40.

The transparent grid 42 is provided with a set of concentric rectangularsize indicia designated as 420 through 42fwith the smallest centralindicia designated as 420 and the largest outer indicia designated as42f. The use of the grid 42 is illustrated in the showings of FIGS.through 13 to which attention should now be directed. The showing ofFIG. 10 corresponds to a showing of the image as seen by lens 31 throughthe grid 42 from which it is observed that the largest grid indicia 42fcoincides with the outline of the books 27. The illustration of FIG. I Icorresponds to the image size as seen by the lens 32, and it is observedthat as viewed through the grid 42 the size of the image corresponds tothe grid indicia 42c. Similarly, FIG.

12 shows the somewhat larger image seen by lens 33 as noted by theindicia frame 42d, while FIG. 13 illustrates the smallest image of allfor the book 30 as seen by lens 34 and designated by the sizing indicia42b.

The operator of the encoding device 24 when playing back the recordeddata, causes the image of each book to be displayed on the cathode raytube face 40, notes the image size by means of the shiftable transparentgrid 42 and encodes this information onto an appropriate record carrierwith the data which identifies the particular book for which the data isbeing recorded, the identifying data being that previously mentioned asappearing in the upper left hand corner of the book and as shown in FIG.14. An image magnifier of any desired type may be used if desirable toenlarge the size of the book identifying information in the upper lefthand comer. The magnification may be effected electronically by controlof the optical display device 22 in any of the well known manners orcould optionally be a simple optical magnifier such as a magnifying lenspositionable over the upper left-hand corner region of the book image asdisplayed to enlarge the book identifying indicator.

When the information has been encoded onto the record carrier 23, therecord carrier, and all of the similar carriers containing theinformation for all of the books to be inventoried, may be processedinto the electronic data processing unit 25 for comparison of the dataon the record carriers with the data stored in the processing unit inorder to provide an inventory print out. The book-identifyinginformation in the upper left-hand corner of the book, not onlyidentifies the book by title, but also provides other information whichis necessary in order to insure a correct inventory result. For example,it should be appreciated that two different books in different pocketsof a bookrack may produce identically the same image size on the displayunit but may nevertheless represent different numbers of books in twoditTerent pockets.

It must be recalled that the size of the image merely determines how farfrom the lens the front face of the book being examined is located.Reference to FIG. 8 shows that each of the books 28 is substantiallytwice as thick as each of the books 27 so that the front face of the twobooks 28 from the lens 32 is substantially the same distance as thefront face of the front one of the rearmost four books 27 from the lens31. Therefore, if there were only four books 27 in the upper pocket,they would produce the same sized image on the display tube as the twobooks 28 in the second pocket. From this, it will be understood that thesize of the image alone is not sufficient to determine the number ofbooks in the pocket, but that the thickness of the book must also beknown in order to be correlated with a particular image size in order todetermine the number of books in the pocket. This correlationinformation is of course known for each book and is part of theinformation stored in the electronic data processing unit 25.

It will be appreciated that a certain length of time is required by theperson operating the encoder 24 to read the necessary information fromthe display 22 and to encode it onto the record carrier 23. Theadvantage of the present system is that the time consumed in carryingout this process is not consumed at the store where the inventory isbeing taken, but is on the contrary carried out at a convenientprocessing location where the data taped by the recording unit 37 may beexamined at a convenient time without disrupting the business operationsof the store in which the inventory was in fact taken.

The actual taking of the inventory proceeds very rapidly by employing asthe scanning and recording unit 20 a mobile apparatus which is placed infront of a wall or array of bookracks and moved rapidly parallel to thearray from one end to the other with the viewing lenses held at a fixedpre-determined distance from the bookracks as the unit 20 moves past.The functioning speed of the optical and electronic system of the datarecording unit 20 is obviously so fast compared to any possible speed ofphysical movement of the data recording unit 20 that the only limitationin the rate at which the contents of a store may be inventoried isdetermined by how rapidly the data recording unit can be moved into thestore, properly aligned and indexed with respect to the articles to beinventoried, and then moved past those articles while the data isrecorded.

Immediately upon completion of the inventory scanning, the entire datarecording unit 20 may be removed from the store or warehouse andtransported to the nest location to be inventoried. The data recorded inthe tape units is of course removed therefrom and a new tape recordingmedium supplied in preparation for taking the subsequent inventory. Thedata tape may be then taken to the data processing center where theaforedescribed display, encoding and processing of the data may becarried out. One form of apparatus suitable for carrying out thefunctions of the data recording unit 20 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7to which attention should be now directed.

The data recording unit 20 has an upper housing 44 within which iscontained all of the optical scanning and electronic recordingapparatus, and a lower housing 45 within which is contained a crawlerdevice for moving the entire unit at a prescribed rate of speed. As bestseen in FIG. 2, the lower housing 45 contains a plurality of drive andidler wheels 46 about which are trained a caterpillar type belt tred 47which engages and moves along the underlying floor 48. The crawlersystem may either be self powered, as for example by an electricallyenergized motor, or may be unpowered and may be moved manually be merelypushing the housing at a desired rate of speed,

As best seen from FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the scanning and recording apparatuscontained within the upper housing 44 is illustrated as consisting ofthree identical optical scanning assemblies each including four scanninglenses, and the outputs of which are commonly fed into the video tapeapparatus 37. The upper left hand assembly is observed to include thelenses 3] through 34, the viewing screen system 35 and the electronicimage scanner 36 all as previously described in the representationalshowing of FIG. 8. The other two systems are identical and includecomparable sets of four lenses 131 through 134 and 231 through 234,identical viewing screen systems 135 and 235, and electronic imagescanners 136 and 236. As illustrated, since all three image scanners arefunctioning simultaneously, their output signals are fed simulaneouslyto the recording apparatus 37, and these signals may either be recordedon three separate tracks or three separate recording devices may beutilized.

As best seen in FIG. 5, each of the lenses, as for example lens 34, ismounted in an image box 49 which contains a planar reflecting mirror 50positioned at the proper distance behind the lens to cause the images ofthe scanned items to be in focus in the plane of the mirror. The imagefocused at the mirror 50 is reflected downward through the periscopictelescopically engaged light tubes Sla and 51b by the planar mirrors 50aand 50b to the mirror 500 which directs the image onto the ground glassviewing screen 35. Similarly, the lenses 33. 32 and 3] are connected tothe periscopic telescopically engaged light tubes 520 through 52c, 53athrough 53d, and 54a through 54c, these light tube systems respectivelyproject ing the images of the lenses 33, 32 and 31 to the ground glassscreen 35 by reflection from the bottom planar mirrors 55, 56 and 57respectively. The four vertically spaced images on the ground glassscreen 35 are scanned by the electronic image scanner 36 which convertsthese images to electronic signals and transmits them to the video tapeapparatus 37 as previously described.

As just described, and as more clearly seen from the showings of FIGS. 6and 7 the periscope systems associated with the lenses 31 through 34include different numbers of telescopically engaged light tubes sincethe lenses require vertically spaced separation different distancesabove the periscopic common mounting box 58, more sections beingrequired for the lens 31 than for the lens 34 because of theconsiderably extended vertical spacing of the former with respect to thelatter, and similarly for the intermediate lenses 32 and 33. Theperiscope systems associated with the mounting boxes I58 and 258 are ofcourse arranged in the same manner.

The telescopic arrangement permitting vertical adjustability of all ofthe lenses of the system provides a ready means for preciselypositioning each viewing lens at the proper elevation with respect tothe associated items to be exaimined by that particular lensv Thesupport structure for maintaining the lenses at the desired elevationsis best seen from the showings of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, from which it isobserved that each system is flanked on opposite sides by a set of fourvertically extending support tubes 59 fixedly secured at their oppositeends to the floor and top of the upper housing 44. Extending laterallyfrom each of the lens-carrying image boxes is a crossbar 60 whichterminates in a pair of adjustable friction clamps 6| each disposedabout one of the vertical tubes 59 and frictionally adjustable so thatthe image box and lens may be vertically adjusted to any desiredposition and held in that position by the frictional engagement betweenthe friction clamps 6] and the vertical support tubes 59. Similarcrossbars and adjustable clamps are seen to extend from each of themounting boxes 58 and electronic image scanner devices 36 so that theentire scanning system associated with each group of four lenses may beshifted as a unit vertically as necessary or desirable.

Finally, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 a pair of lights 62 aremounted to each crossbar 60 on opposite sides of the lens for thepurpose of illuminating the object being viewed by the particular lens.

Having now described my invention in connection with a particularlyillustrated embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated that variationsand modifications of the invention may now occur from time to time tothose persons normally skilled in the art without departing from theessential scope or spirit thereof, and accordingly it is intended toclaim the same broadly as well as specifically as indicated by theappended claims.

What is claimed to be new and useful is:

l. A method of taking an inventory of items in an array, consisting ofthe steps of,

a. establishing a viewing reference line with respect to the array,

b. scanning the items to be inventoried and recording for each item afirst indicia which uniquely identifies such item and recording one ofaseries of second indicia which precisely delineates the apparent size ofsuch item as viewed from the said viewing reference line,

c. preparing an information data bank which contains the identifyingsaid first indicia for each item ofinventory and correlates for eachsuch item of inventory the apparent sizes corresponding to the saidseries of second indicia with the number of units of the item in theinventory, and

d. comparing the said recorded first and second indicia of eachinventoried item for identity with the information in the data bank toobtain the inventory count for each item.

2. A method of taking an inventory as described in claim 2 furtherincluding the step of arranging the units of each item of inventory onebehind another and extending forward toward said viewing reference linefrom a second reference line spaced a predetermined distance from saidviewing reference line.

3. A method of taking an inventory as described in claim I furtherincluding the step of arranging the units of each item of inventory onebehind another and extending forward toward said viewing reference linefrom a second reference line spaced a predetermined distance from andparallel to said viewing reference line.

4. A method of taking an inventory as described in claim 1 wherein thesaid step ofscanning for recording said second indicia is taken along aline substantially orthogonal to said viewing reference line.

5. A method of taking an inventory as described in claim 1 wherein saidrecording step consists of, the step of recording said first and secondindicia on a first medium in a first form different from the form ofinformation in said data bank, and a subsequent step of translating saidfirst and second indicia in said first form from said first medium to asecond medium in a second form which is the same as the form ofinformation in said data bank.

6. A method of taking an inventory as described in claim furtherincluding the step of arranging the units of each item of inventory onebehind another and extending forward toward said viewing reference linefrom a second reference line spaced a predetermined distance from andparallel to said viewing reference line.

7. A system for taking an inventory of items in an array with the unitsof each item spaced closely behind one another, said system being usablewith an information data bank containing identifying first indicia foreach item of inventory, and correlation data for each item of inventorywhich correlates a series of second indicia with the number of units ofthe item in the inventory, and comprising in combination,

a. scanning and generating means for scanning from a predeterminedreference line the items to be inventoried and generating a data outputincluding a first indicia which uniquely identifies each item, and oneof a series of second indicia which precisely delineates the apparentsize of such item as viewed from the said reference line,

b. storage means coupled to and responsive to said scanning means forstoring said data output,

c. retrieval means operative to regenerate the said stored data output,

d. display means couplable to said retrieval means effective responsiveto the regenerated data output from the latter to display said firstindicia and said one of said series of second indicia for each item ofinventory,

whereby, said first and second indicia displayed by said display meansmay be compared with the information in the data bank to therebyestablish the number of units of each item in the inventory.

8. A system as described in claim 7 wherein the scanning portion of saidscanning and generating means comprises at least one short focal lengthoptical lens which produces an optical image of the item of inventoryviewed which is larger or smaller dependent on whether the item iscloser or more remote from the lens.

9. A system as described in claim 7 wherein the scanning portion of saidscanning and generating means comprises,

a. at least one short focal length optical lens which produces anoptical image of the item of inventory viewed which is larger or smallerdependent on whether the item is closer or more remote from the lens,

b. an optical display screen upon which the image from said lens isprojected, and

c. an optical transmission device effective to transmit the opticalimage from said lens to said display screen.

10. A system as described in claim 7 wherein the scanning portion ofsaid scanning and generating means comprises at least one short focallength optical lens which produces an optical image of the item ofinventory viewed which is larger or smaller dependent on whether theitem is closer or more remote from the lens, and wherein the generatingportion of said scanning and generating means comprises an electronicscanner which scans the optical image produced by said lens andgenerates a train of electrical signals corresponding to the pictureinformation content of the optical image.

11. A system as described in claim 7 wherein the scanning portion ofsaid scanning and generating means comprises,

a. at least one short focal length optical lens which produces anoptical image of the item of inventory viewed which is larger or smallerdependent on whether the item is closer or more remote from the lens,

b. an optical display screen upon which the image from said lens isprojected, and

c. an optical transmission device efiective to transmit the opticalimage from said lens to said display screen and wherein the generatingportion of said scanning and generating means comprises an electronicscanner which scans the optical image produced by said lens on saiddisplay screen and generates a train of electrical signals correspondingto the picture information content of the optical image.

12. A system as described in claim 7 wherein said storage meanscomprises a magnetic tape video recording device.

13. A system as described in claim 7 wherein said retrieval meanscomprises a video magnetic tape playback device.

14. A system as described in claim 7 wherein said display meanscomprises a closed circuit television receiver.

15. A system as described in claim 7 wherein said display meanscomprises a closed circuit television receiver including a cathode raytube having a display face, and a transparent sizing grid closelyoverlying said cathode ray tube face for superposition on the displayeddata to measure said second indicia.

16. A system as described in claim 9 wherein said optical transmissiondevice includes means permitting movement of said lens with respect tosaid optical display screen without changing the image projected on thelatter,

17. A system as described in claim 9 wherein said optical transmissiondevice is a periscope system of variable length permitting movement ofsaid lens with respect to said optical display screen without changingthe image projected on the latter.

18. A system as described in claim 9 wherein at least said scanning andgenerating means is housed in a mobile apparatus adapted for movement infront of the array of items to be inventoried along a line parallel tosaid reference line.

19. A system as described in claim 15 wherein said sizing grid isshiftable in directions parallel to the face of said cathode ray tube tothereby permit positioning of said grid at any point over the tube face.

20. A method for taking an inventory of items in an array with the unitsof each item spaced closely behind one another, consisting of the stepsof,

a. scanning from a predetermined reference line the items to beinventoried and generating a data output including a first indicia whichuniquely identifies each item and one of a series of second indiciawhich precisely delineates the apparent size of such item as viewed fromthe said reference line,

. recording said data output on a data carrying medium,

. preparing an information data bank containing the identifying saidfirst indicia for each item of inventoryand correlation data for eachitem of inventory which correlates the apparent sizes corresponding tothe said series of second indicia with the number of units of the itemin the inventory,

d. reading the data output recorded on the said data carry ing medium,

. comparing the data output first and second indicia recorded on saiddata carrying medium for each item of inventory for identity with thefirst and second indicia in said data bank, and when a match isobtained, operating terminal equipment for indicating the count for eachitem for which such a match was obtained.

1. A method of taking an inventory of items in an array, consisting ofthe steps of, a. establishing a viewing reference line with respect tothe array, b. scanning the items to be inventoried and recording foreach item a first indicia which uniquely identifies such item andrecording one of a series of second indicia which precisely delineatesthe apparent size of such item as viewed from the said viewing referenceline, c. preparing an information data bank which contains theidentifying said first indicia for each item of inventory and correlatesfor each such item of inventory the apparent sizes corresponding to thesaid series of second indicia with the number of units of the item inthe inventory, and d. comparing the said recorded first and secondindicia of each inventoried item for identity with the information inthe data bank to obtain the inventory count for each item.
 2. A methodof taking an inventory as described in claim 1 further including thestep of arranging the units of each item of inventory one behind anotherand extending forward toward said viewing reference line from a secondreference line spaced a predetermined distance from said viewingreference line.
 3. A method of taking an inventory as described in claim1 further including the step of arranging the units of each item ofinventory one behind another and extending forward toward said viewingreference line from a second reference line spaced a predetermineddistance from and parallel to said viewing reference line.
 4. A methodof taking an inventory as described in claim 1 wherein the said step ofscanning for recording said second indicia is taken along a linesubstantially orthogonal to said viewing reference line.
 5. A method oftaking an inventory as described in claim 1 wherein said recording stepconsists of, the step of recording said first and second indicia on afirst medium in a first form different from the form of information insaid data bank, and a subsequent step of translating said first andsecond indicia in said first form from said first medium to a secondmedium in a second form which is the same as the form of information insaid data bank.
 6. A method of taking an inventory as described in claim5 further including the step of arranging the units of each item ofinventory one behind another and extending forward toward said viewingreference line from a second reference line spaced a predetermineddistance from and parallel to said viewing reference line.
 7. A systemfor taking an inventory of items in an array with the units of each itemspaced closely behind one another, said system being usable with aninformation data bank containing identifying first indicia for each itemof inventory, and correlation data for each item of inventory whichcorrelates a series of second indicia with the number of units of theitem in the inventory, and comprising in combination, a. scanning andgenerating means for scanning from a predetermined reference line theitems to be inventoried and generating a data output including a firstindicia which uniquely identifies each item, and one oF a series ofsecond indicia which precisely delineates the apparent size of such itemas viewed from the said reference line, b. storage means coupled to andresponsive to said scanning means for storing said data output, c.retrieval means operative to regenerate the said stored data output, d.display means couplable to said retrieval means effective responsive tothe regenerated data output from the latter to display said firstindicia and said one of said series of second indicia for each item ofinventory, whereby, said first and second indicia displayed by saiddisplay means may be compared with the information in the data bank tothereby establish the number of units of each item in the inventory. 8.A system as described in claim 7 wherein the scanning portion of saidscanning and generating means comprises at least one short focal lengthoptical lens which produces an optical image of the item of inventoryviewed which is larger or smaller dependent on whether the item iscloser or more remote from the lens.
 9. A system as described in claim 7wherein the scanning portion of said scanning and generating meanscomprises, a. at least one short focal length optical lens whichproduces an optical image of the item of inventory viewed which islarger or smaller dependent on whether the item is closer or more remotefrom the lens, b. an optical display screen upon which the image fromsaid lens is projected, and c. an optical transmission device effectiveto transmit the optical image from said lens to said display screen. 10.A system as described in claim 7 wherein the scanning portion of saidscanning and generating means comprises at least one short focal lengthoptical lens which produces an optical image of the item of inventoryviewed which is larger or smaller dependent on whether the item iscloser or more remote from the lens, and wherein the generating portionof said scanning and generating means comprises an electronic scannerwhich scans the optical image produced by said lens and generates atrain of electrical signals corresponding to the picture informationcontent of the optical image.
 11. A system as described in claim 7wherein the scanning portion of said scanning and generating meanscomprises, a. at least one short focal length optical lens whichproduces an optical image of the item of inventory viewed which islarger or smaller dependent on whether the item is closer or more remotefrom the lens, b. an optical display screen upon which the image fromsaid lens is projected, and c. an optical transmission device effectiveto transmit the optical image from said lens to said display screen, andwherein the generating portion of said scanning and generating meanscomprises an electronic scanner which scans the optical image producedby said lens on said display screen and generates a train of electricalsignals corresponding to the picture information content of the opticalimage.
 12. A system as described in claim 7 wherein said storage meanscomprises a magnetic tape video recording device.
 13. A system asdescribed in claim 7 wherein said retrieval means comprises a videomagnetic tape playback device.
 14. A system as described in claim 7wherein said display means comprises a closed circuit televisionreceiver.
 15. A system as described in claim 7 wherein said displaymeans comprises a closed circuit television receiver including a cathoderay tube having a display face, and a transparent sizing grid closelyoverlying said cathode ray tube face for superposition on the displayeddata to measure said second indicia.
 16. A system as described in claim9 wherein said optical transmission device includes means permittingmovement of said lens with respect to said optical display screenwithout changing the image projected on the latter.
 17. A system asdescribed in claim 9 wherein said optical transmission device is aperiscope system of variable length permitting movement of said lenswith respect to said optical display screen without changing the imageprojected on the latter.
 18. A system as described in claim 9 wherein atleast said scanning and generating means is housed in a mobile apparatusadapted for movement in front of the array of items to be inventoriedalong a line parallel to said reference line.
 19. A system as describedin claim 15 wherein said sizing grid is shiftable in directions parallelto the face of said cathode ray tube to thereby permit positioning ofsaid grid at any point over the tube face.
 20. A method for taking aninventory of items in an array with the units of each item spacedclosely behind one another, consisting of the steps of, a. scanning froma predetermined reference line the items to be inventoried andgenerating a data output including a first indicia which uniquelyidentifies each item and one of a series of second indicia whichprecisely delineates the apparent size of such item as viewed from thesaid reference line, b. recording said data output on a data carryingmedium, c. preparing an information data bank containing the identifyingsaid first indicia for each item of inventory and correlation data foreach item of inventory which correlates the apparent sizes correspondingto the said series of second indicia with the number of units of theitem in the inventory, d. reading the data output recorded on the saiddata carrying medium, e. comparing the data output first and secondindicia recorded on said data carrying medium for each item of inventoryfor identity with the first and second indicia in said data bank, andwhen a match is obtained, operating terminal equipment for indicatingthe count for each item for which such a match was obtained.